Celebrity Apex Begins Port Canaveral Winter Cruises

Published on Nov 3, 2025, 4:54 pm CST

4 min read

Key points

Celebrity Apex began a winter homeport season at Port Canaveral on November 1, 2025
Seven-night roundtrip Caribbean itineraries run through April 2026 with calls like San Juan, Grand Turk, Key West and Bimini
Edge Series amenities include the Magic Carpet, Eden, The Retreat and Infinite Veranda staterooms

Impact

Booking Window: Trips run November 2025 through April 2026, so peak holiday and spring break sailings will price and sell quickly
Itinerary Highlights: Expect mixes of Puerto Plata, San Juan, Grand Turk, Key West, Bimini and other popular Caribbean ports
Terminal & Arrival: Verify your assigned Port Canaveral cruise terminal on your documents and arrive early to ease parking and check-in
Cabin Choice: Edge Series Infinite Veranda and The Retreat suites provide distinct experiences that affect space, perks and price

Celebrity Cruises' Edge Series ship, Celebrity Apex, arrived at Port Canaveral on November 1, 2025, marking the brand's Central Florida debut for this vessel and the start of a winter season of seven-night roundtrip cruises to the Caribbean through April 2026. The move gives Orlando-area travelers a premium option without driving to South Florida, with itineraries that rotate among popular ports including Puerto Plata, San Juan, Grand Turk, Key West and Bimini.

Celebrity Apex at a glance

Apex is the second ship in Celebrity's Edge Series, known for modern design and some unusual spaces compared with mainstream fleets. The ship's signature Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that moves between decks, creates an indoor-outdoor lounge and dining venue with panoramic sea views. Eden wraps three decks of glass around a multi-use dining and entertainment space, while The Retreat layers a private restaurant, lounge and sun deck on top of suite accommodations. Infinite Veranda staterooms extend living space to the water's edge at the touch of a button, replacing the usual step-out balcony with a convertible, floor-to-ceiling window system.

Where she is sailing

Celebrity's published schedules show seven-night roundtrip sailings from Port Canaveral with mixes of Caribbean calls. Examples include sequences featuring Puerto Plata and San Juan on one route, and Key West, Bimini and Grand Turk on another, with days at sea spaced between port calls. These deployments align with the line's plan to offer weekly Central Florida departures through late April 2026. Always check the specific itinerary for your date, as ports and call times can vary by sailing.

Why this matters for Central Florida travelers

Port Canaveral has rapidly diversified beyond family-focused short cruises, and bringing an Edge-class ship raises the bar for dining, entertainment and suite-level amenities out of the Orlando gateway. Port officials marked Apex's maiden call with a traditional plaque exchange, noting Celebrity's successful first season at the port last year and positioning Apex as the larger, newer follow-up to Celebrity Equinox. For travelers, the net result is more seven-night choices within a two-hour drive of much of Central Florida.

Practical planning

Confirm your assigned terminal before you drive, since Port Canaveral uses multiple buildings and assignments can vary by sailing; the port maintains maps and arrival guidance and Celebrity also directs guests to check documents for the correct terminal. Parking is adjacent to each terminal and is first-come, first-served, so arriving early reduces stress at peak times and around holiday departures. If cabin type is a key decision, weigh Infinite Veranda rooms for their inside-outside flexibility, or step up to The Retreat for an all-in private-area experience with Luminae restaurant and a dedicated sun deck.

Background

Edge Series ships shifted Celebrity's positioning in the premium segment by emphasizing architectural features like the Magic Carpet and Eden, higher-end dining variety, and a tiered suite product with private spaces. Deploying one from Port Canaveral broadens Central Florida's mix beyond mega-ship thrill hardware to a design-forward, food-and-wellness-centric experience, while still hitting the marquee Caribbean calls that many travelers expect on a week-long itinerary.

Final thoughts

With seven-night departures running through April 2026, Celebrity Apex gives Port Canaveral a fresh, premium option for week-long Caribbean cruises. If your dates fall over Thanksgiving, Christmas or spring break, lock plans early, verify your terminal, and choose the cabin experience that matches how you want to spend sea days.